Predicting Weight Change in Gari in Two Packaging Materials

An equation for predicting moisture loss or gain by gari grain packed in two types of materials was developed. From this, it may be possible to establish the storability of gari in these two packaging material. The equation took into account the permeabilities of the materials, which were determined experimentally. The validity of the equation was tested experimentally. High correlation coefficients were received for small packages, while observed values were found to be consistently lower than the predicted values with packages 25cm x 20cm x 1Ocm in size and above

Effect of some operating parameters on the performance of a pelleting press

One of the major challenges of fish pellets production at the micro and small scale level is the principal complement of equipment necessary for the local manufacture of the same. Imported fish pellets are quite expensive and unaffordable for the average fish farmer. Hence, the need to be able to produce fish feed at a lower cost yet achieving the objective of quantity and quality expected of pelleted feeds are paramount to the viability of the enterprise.The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of some operating parameters (moisture content of the compounded feed, die speed of the press, and the feed rate) on the pelleting efficiency, throughput capacity, pellet durability and pellet bulk density and to optimise the conditions. Three moisture content levels (M1= 13, M2= 20 and M3 = 25% wet basis) of the compounded feed were used. For each of the moisture contents, two feed rates (Q1= 500, Q2= 350 kg/hr); and two die speeds (V1=200, and V2=250 r/min) were used for a die hole size of 4 mm. The effect of the independent parameters was significant for pellet efficiency, throughput capacity, pellet durability and pellet bulk density with R2 values of 0.9399, 0.9612, 0.8806 and 0.8977 respectively. This shows that the coefficient of determination is of positive correlation as determined from the ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and the model equation. ANOVA was performed to check the adequacy of the fitted models. The response surface plots showing the interaction of variables were developed in Design-Expert 6.0.6 for every response, linear variables were found more significant than quadratic variables. Optimum conditions for maximum pellet efficiency, throughput capacity, pellet durability and bulk density corresponds to moisture content 25%, feed rate 499.99 kg/hr, speed 250 r/min with the desirability of 0.986. At this condition, pellet efficiency, throughput capacity, pellet durability and pellet bulk density were recorded as 95.7893%, 166.276 kg/hr, 98.0435% 0.846702 g/cm3 respectively

ASSESSING SEVERITY OF POSTURAL LOADING IN FOUR GARI -FRYING METHODS

Posture at work is a source of musculoskeletal load. This is in addition to the external task-induced         load depending on the task, which must be minimized to ease the work. Four working postures com-         mon to gari-frying workers in the southwestern Nigeria namely, sitting beside (SB), sitting in front (SF),        alternating sitting and standing (ASS) and standing (S) were investigated to assess severity of loading         in each posture. Activities of 16 fryers were videotaped and played back for assessment using Rapid         Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) technique. RULA grand score recorded were SB 7.00, S 6.50, SF                                                                                                           0        6.00 and ASS 5.75. Postural angles were also measured giving SB 36, S 50, SF 79, and ASS 50 .         RULA result has been confirmed by postural angle measurement, indicating that ASS has the least        severity   due   to   postural   loading   with the   least   bending/twisting   and   flexion   of the   back   during gari-        frying task. ASS posture, therefore, is recommended for gari frying in southwestern Nigeria

Heat treatment and loading orientation effects on some mechanical properties of steamed cashew kernels (Anacardium occidentale L.)

The economic interest has made many countries of the world to encourage the cultivation of cashew and it is fast becoming an export produce in many developing countries.  The necessary processing operations needed for cashew nut before obtaining the standard exportable quality of edible cashew kernel require lot of time, materials and human resources.  This study considers the wholeness of kernels obtainable by varying the drying duration and temperature. The cashew kernels were steamed, peeled and dried.  Mechanical properties of the dried samples of the kernels were determined at axial, lateral and longitudinal loading.  The breaking force and energy of cashew kernels followed a non-steady pattern with moisture removal at constant temperature and different durations of drying.  However, to save energy and time, drying at 80oC for 5 h and drying at 90oC for 3 h are recommended for high quality kernels

Physicochemical properties of sorghum (sorghum bicolor l. Moench) starch as affected by drying temperature

 N. A. Aviara1, J. C. Igbeka2, L. M. Nwokocha3(1. Department of Agricultural and Environmental Resources Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria;2. Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;3. Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria) Abstract: Starch was isolated from sorghum (white) grains and its proximate composition determined.  Scanning electron micrograph and x-ray diffraction pattern of the starch were obtained using scanning electron microscope and x-ray diffractometer, respectively.  The effect of drying temperature in a tray dryer on starch physicochemical and pasting properties was investigated.  The open air dried starch had a composition of 10.73% moisture, 0.30% ash, 1.06% protein and 1.07% fat.  Amylose content was 21.08% and it had an average granule size and pH of 18.59 μm and 5.45, respectively.  The starch exhibited the A-type crystalline diffraction pattern, which was not altered by drying in a tray dryer at the temperature range of 40 to 60℃.  Water binding capacity and swelling power of the open air dried starch were not significantly different from those of starch dried at 40℃ (p<0.05).  Water binding capacity increased from 79.63 to 88.5%, while swelling power, solubility and percentage syneresis decreased from 12.01 to 8.96 g/g, 7.08 to 2.85% and 14.00 to 10.80%, respectively as the drying temperature increased from 40 to 60oC.  Paste clarity was low (22.50%–26.20%) but increased with an increase in drying temperature up to 50℃ and decreased with a further increase in temperature.  Pasting properties of open air dried starch differed significantly from those of starch dried at different temperatures.  Peak viscosity decreased from 398.75 to 325.25 RVU as the drying temperature increased from 40 to 60℃.  Setback viscosity increased with an increase in drying temperature up to a point and decreased with a further increase in temperature.  Final and breakdown viscosities as well as pasting temperature and peak time had polynomial relationships of the third order with drying temperature.  Regression equations that could be used to adequately express the relationships existing between the physicochemical and pasting properties of sorghum starch and drying temperature were established.  These models could be used to select the drying temperature that would yield starch of desired physicochemical properties for a functional application.Keywords: sorghum starch, degree of crystallinity, physicochemical properties, pasting properties, drying temperature, tray dryer Citation: Aviara N. A, J. C. Igbeka, and L. M. Nwokocha.  Physicochemical properties of sorghum (sorghum bicolor l. Moench) starch as affected by drying temperature.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(2): 85-94. &nbsp

Energy Expenditure in Gari Processing Activities by Nigerian Women

This work was undertaken to study the energy expenditure by women in Nigeria to produce Gari. Data were collected by direct measurement of height, weight and monitoring of heart beat using stethoscope during operations. In producing gari, a mean energy expenditure of 4.17 kJ/min was spent on cassava peeling and 3.17 kJ/min on mash cake sieving. Frying using traditional method,  improved methods I and II of frying expended 9.75, 2.67 and 1.25 kJ/min of energy respectively. The main activities involved in gari production can be considered to be light grade of work in physiological studies with improved method II, the most appropriate in gari frying in terms of increased capacity and greater efficiency.  &nbsp

Design and Fabrication of an Okra Threshing Machine

A simple Okra threshing machine was designed, fabricated and tested to alleviate the problems associated with Okra processing in Nigeria. It is consists mainly of five units namely, the feeding assembly, the threshing unit, separation unit, power transmission unit. The overall mean threshing and cleaning efficiencies obtained were 93.95 and 99.56% respectively. Drum speed 500rpm combine with 55mm concave clearance gave the highest Threshing efficiency of 99.99%. All speeds, concave clearance combinations gave clearing efficiency above 98%. The machine threshing and cleaning efficiencies increased with increase in drum speed and decrease with increase in concave clearance. The machine is simple to operate and maintain without formal training

Tunnel dryer and pneumatic dryer performance evaluation to improve small-scale cassava processing in Tanzania

In sub-Saharan Africa, cassava is grown by smallholder farmers and is the principal source of calories for the local population. However, the short shelf life of cassava associated with poor infrastructure in the region results in significant postharvest losses. The expansion of small-scale cassava processing could reduce these losses, but the availability of drying equipment suitable for use in such operations is limited. The objective of this research was to contribute to the development of cassava dryers suitable for use by smallholder farmers. A tunnel dryer and a pneumatic dryer being operated in Tanzania were evaluated using mass and energy balance analysis. It was found that the energy efficiency of the tunnel dryer was 29% and of the pneumatic dryer 46%. For the tunnel dryer, most of the heat losses were through unsaturated exhaust air, while for the pneumatic dryer, most losses were through radiation and convection. Practical Applications: In this study, a tunnel dryer and a pneumatic dryer suitable for use by smallholder farmers were evaluated during processing centers' usual cassava drying operations. The sources and extent of heat losses were identified, and then guidelines developed on how to reduce such losses. For both dryer types, improvements to the thermal insulation used could reduce heat losses to the ambient. For the tunnel dryer, decreasing the air mass flow rate by 57% would help to minimize exhaust heat losses without producing condensation inside the unit. For the pneumatic dryer, air mass flow rate could be reduced by 9%, improving energy performance without having a negative impact on the pneumatic conveying of the product. Those two modifications would be easy to implement and represent a significant contribution to the development of small-scale cassava drying technology

Use of Newspapers by Nigerian University Students: The Case of Delta State University, Anwai Campus

Newspapers remain an important research source, as well as a means of recreation and a source of current news. A study of newspaper use by students in the Faculty of Managment Science and the Faculty of Agriculture at Delta State University, Anwai Campus, used a questionnaire and records of newspaper requests in the library to discover student preferences and their reasons for preferring particular titles. The results show a high rate of use, and a general preference for information in their disciplines and unbiased reporting